Background:Invasive meningococcal disease is a potentially life-threatening infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis.Vaccination is highly effective in preventing meningitis and reducing its associated complications...Background:Invasive meningococcal disease is a potentially life-threatening infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis.Vaccination is highly effective in preventing meningitis and reducing its associated complications.This study aims to assess the United Arab Emirates(UAE)parents meningitis knowledge and explore vaccination attitudes and practices.Methodology:An observational cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May 2024 across the UAE using convenience sampling through social media,electronic mail,and word of mouth.A 58-item questionnaire collected information regarding demographics,meningitis knowledge,attitudes and practices,and meningococcal vaccination knowledge and practices.Results:Of 443 parents included,more than a third had no knowledge about meningitis.Symptoms and severity were well-recognized overall,but clear gaps were evident regarding complications and meningococcal vaccines.Only 10.38%(46/443)identified themselves as knowledgeable/very knowledgeable regarding meningococcal vaccines.A healthcare provider recommendation was the strongest factor encouraging parents to vaccinate their child.Most vaccine hesitancy was seen regarding side effects.Views and practices regarding the two vaccines aligned closely,with more than four-fifths of participants needing more information and the major reasons for not vaccinating a child being a lack of information or lack of recommendation.Social media and governmental websites were the most common sources for learning more about meningitis,with doctors ranking third.In fact,trust in doctors varied with less than half having moderate or strong trust in their main paediatrician.Multivariate logistic regression revealed that coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination status[adjusted odds ratio(AOR):0.365,95%confidence interval(CI):0.172 to 0.774,P=0.013]and female gender(AOR:2.741,95%CI:1.184 to 6.347,P=0.019)were significant predictors of vaccine hesitancy.Conclusion:Meningococcal vaccine hesitancy is a significant concern,primarily driven by fears of side effects and lack of knowledge and physician recommendation.However,vaccine attitudes were overall positive and highly dependent on physician involvement.There is a need for targeted educational initiatives enhancing meningitis disease awareness and vaccine uptake.展开更多
文摘Background:Invasive meningococcal disease is a potentially life-threatening infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis.Vaccination is highly effective in preventing meningitis and reducing its associated complications.This study aims to assess the United Arab Emirates(UAE)parents meningitis knowledge and explore vaccination attitudes and practices.Methodology:An observational cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May 2024 across the UAE using convenience sampling through social media,electronic mail,and word of mouth.A 58-item questionnaire collected information regarding demographics,meningitis knowledge,attitudes and practices,and meningococcal vaccination knowledge and practices.Results:Of 443 parents included,more than a third had no knowledge about meningitis.Symptoms and severity were well-recognized overall,but clear gaps were evident regarding complications and meningococcal vaccines.Only 10.38%(46/443)identified themselves as knowledgeable/very knowledgeable regarding meningococcal vaccines.A healthcare provider recommendation was the strongest factor encouraging parents to vaccinate their child.Most vaccine hesitancy was seen regarding side effects.Views and practices regarding the two vaccines aligned closely,with more than four-fifths of participants needing more information and the major reasons for not vaccinating a child being a lack of information or lack of recommendation.Social media and governmental websites were the most common sources for learning more about meningitis,with doctors ranking third.In fact,trust in doctors varied with less than half having moderate or strong trust in their main paediatrician.Multivariate logistic regression revealed that coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination status[adjusted odds ratio(AOR):0.365,95%confidence interval(CI):0.172 to 0.774,P=0.013]and female gender(AOR:2.741,95%CI:1.184 to 6.347,P=0.019)were significant predictors of vaccine hesitancy.Conclusion:Meningococcal vaccine hesitancy is a significant concern,primarily driven by fears of side effects and lack of knowledge and physician recommendation.However,vaccine attitudes were overall positive and highly dependent on physician involvement.There is a need for targeted educational initiatives enhancing meningitis disease awareness and vaccine uptake.
